Behind the Bastards: It Could Happen Here Weekly 222

Release Date: March 7, 2026
Host: Cool Zone Media & iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode is a compilation of the week’s most significant discussions from the “It Could Happen Here” series, weaving together critical conversations about leftist mutual aid in Israel/Palestine, the ongoing crisis and war in Iran, colossal media consolidation in the US film industry, protest movements in New York, and late-breaking US political news. The episode is rich with firsthand reporting, expert interviews, and nuanced analysis on war, organizing, identity struggles, and the consequences of monopoly capitalism.

1. Mutual Aid, Political Awakening & Leftist Struggle in Israel/Palestine

[03:05–36:46]
Speakers: Danielle Kantor (Culture of Solidarity), Donna Al Kurd, Gordien (Kurdish Journalist)

Key Discussion Points

• Introduction to Culture of Solidarity

  • Formed during COVID-19 to redistribute food waste amid government inaction.
  • Operates a food security program in Area C of the West Bank (Masafariyata) and Israel, providing culturally appropriate food and aid, particularly during holidays (e.g., Ramadan campaign).
  • Funds and organizes events (lectures, workshops) with proceeds supporting mutual aid, maintaining a 100% community-funded, non-institutional structure to resist perpetuating dependency or systemic complicity.

• Politics of Mutual Aid

  • Acknowledges mutual aid is inherently political:
    • “It’s an atrocity almost to depict it that way, because all these communities are actively being abandoned." – Danielle Kantor [07:10]
  • Challenges the narrative that poverty is accidental rather than a result of deliberate policies.

• Personal & Collective Political Awakening

  • Describes the journey of unlearning national myths and recognizing state-sponsored oppression.
  • The trauma and division post-October 7th marked a point of no return for many Israelis confronting occupation, genocide, and displacement.
  • Emphasizes the importance of empathy that doesn’t negate one’s own suffering but calls for accountability and recognition of power dynamics.

• Working with Other Organizations

  • Collaboration with Israeli and Palestinian groups (Gisha, Breaking the Silence, Physicians for Human Rights, Rabbis for Human Rights, Dignity for Palestine).
  • “It is very important for us to not reinvent the wheel and learn from our other organizations.” – Danielle Kantor [15:21]
  • Tours and educational events to foster understanding of injustices, from Gaza access issues to Bedouin communities in the Negev.

• The Role of the Israeli Left in Palestinian Liberation

  • Outlines responsibilities:
    • “As long as we are living on this land, it’s our responsibility…to free Palestine and for Palestinian people to have equal rights…” – Danielle Kantor [18:35]
    • Protective presence in the West Bank (sleeping in threatened households), societal education, and continuous learning/unlearning.
  • Addresses emotional fatigue, bitterness, and the need for compassion despite societal pushback and personal costs.

• Structural Challenges & Directions Forward

  • Critiques “liberal Zionism” for condemning settler violence while supporting the military occupation.
  • Identifies apathy—and not only government repression—as the biggest threat.
  • Urges for disrupting systems over individual hand-wringing:
    • “It’s our responsibility, if not the number one responsibility, to Palestinian liberation.” – Danielle Kantor [24:48]
  • The Israeli left is smaller and more tight-knit post-October 7th, with many “liberal” elements drifting into apathy or denial.

Notable Quotes

• “We didn’t want to institutionalize and become part of a system that is responsible for [injustice].” – Danielle Kantor [07:30]
• “You don’t get to say you’re against occupation but send your boys to be pilots over Gaza.” – Danielle Kantor [14:05]
• “Our biggest threat is apathy…when you don't do that, you're conforming with it.” – Danielle Kantor [26:47]
• “If you’re not countering, you’re conforming.” – Danielle Kantor [29:26]
• “This work should not be needed; our taxes should care for our vulnerable neighbors.” – Danielle Kantor [08:23]

2. Albany's "Tax the Rich" Mobilization & NYC’s Socialist Governance

[39:45–61:02]
Speakers: Garrison Davis, Mia Wong, James Stout, others

Key Discussion Points

• Protest Action in Albany

  • Over 1,000 New Yorkers marched on the State Capitol, advocating for progressive tax reforms under the banner "Tax the Rich" to fulfill Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s campaign promises.
  • Multiple unions and organizations (NYC DSA, taxi workers, academic unions, childcare, housing, education advocates) participated.
  • “If we don’t tax the rich, millions of New Yorkers will lose health care or go hungry.” – Tax the Rich campaign [48:57]

• NYC’s Budget Crisis

  • NYC faces a $12 billion deficit uncovered after the Adams administration, with deep impacts on city services.
  • Mamdani’s proposed solution: 2% tax increase on incomes over $1M and on large corporations.
  • Organizers emphasize transparency, unions’ support, and the importance of ongoing grassroots mobilization post-election.

• Policy Demands & Legislative Focus

  • Progressive state income tax, Fair Share Act (NYC-specific), expanded corporate taxes, Universal Child Care Act, and the “Repair Act” (taxing major universities to fund public education).

• Movement Context & Challenges

  • Following the high of electoral victory, organizing turnout fell short, showing the difficulties of sustaining post-election pressure.

Notable Quotes

• “This coalition went up to Albany pushing for a handful of bills currently under consideration.” – James Stout [51:00]
• “The only way we can get the funding…is by taxing the rich.” – Liz Stephenson [54:15]

3. War in Iran: Bombings, Geopolitics, and Kurdish Stakes

[67:01–106:20 & 153:36–174:35]
Speakers: Garrison Davis, Gordien (Kurdish Journalist), Robert Evans, others

Key Discussion Points

• Outline of the War

  • Detailed walkthrough of Israeli and US airstrikes on Tehran (Beit Era – leader’s house) and other Iranian, Kurdish, and regional targets.
  • Iranian counterattacks against US bases in neighboring countries and direct retaliation towards Israel.
  • Confirmed heavy civilian impact, widespread infrastructure devastation, skyrocketing food prices and shortages amid internet blackouts.

• State Structure & Internal Dynamics

  • Explanation of Iran’s theocratic, militarized political system ("monarchy with a different label"), IRGC’s omnipresence in state institutions, and unique challenges to regime collapse.

• Ethnic and Political Complexity

  • Iran’s diverse ethnic makeup; Kurdish opposition groups’ historical and current role.
  • US and Israeli engagement with Kurdish groups, but skepticism about Western trustworthiness due to past betrayals (Rojava, Iraq, etc.).
  • Civilians, especially conscripted youth and minority groups, are paying enormous costs.

• Potential Regime Collapse & Regional Alliances

  • Discussion of possible Western strategy to support a local ground force (Kurdish-led); parallels to past US interventions; anxieties over being replaced by another dictatorial regime.
  • Dangers of misinformation as Kurdish groups become targets regardless of involvement.

• Media Critique

  • Warnings against false reporting, media ignorance regarding Kurdish and regional politics.

Notable Quotes

• “We have to sacrifice more, but if Trump brings in someone useless like Reza Pahlavi, Kurdish groups will say no. Anyone is better than him.” – Gordien [89:17]
• “America has never been a long-term partner… It is just the bitter truth.” – Gordien [100:00]
• “The US is burning through long-range precision missiles at an unsustainable rate… We’re about to run out and will have to rely on less discriminating weapons, with higher civilian casualties.” – Robert Evans [177:27]

4. Media Monopolies: The Paramount-Warner Bros Merger

[109:08–150:54]
Speakers: Mia Wong, Vicky Osterweil, others

Key Discussion Points

• History of Movie Industry Consolidation

  • Traces vertical integration from Edison’s patent trust and the studio system through antitrust breakup and the rise of conglomerate media.
  • Explains how deregulation (especially Reagan-era), streaming, and home video market changes allowed tech giants and financiers to gobble up studios.

• Current Crisis: Paramount-Warner Bros Merger

  • With Paramount acquiring Warner Bros after Netflix dropped out, only three traditional movie companies (Disney, Paramount/Warner, Sony) remain.
  • Nepotism and “fail son” billionaires (e.g., David Ellison) steering the industry; predicted rise of right-wing, fascist-tinged content.

• Stagnation, IP Hoarding, and Cultural Effects

  • Monopolies smother creative risk, preferring endless sequels/reboots; perverse incentives to stop “new ideas” from challenging owned IP.
  • Streaming’s exploitation of copyright law for profit, suppression of new music, and the broad “nostalgia-fascism” it produces.

• Fascism in Pop Culture

  • Most fascist propaganda isn’t overt, but encoded in “family” and “adventure” fare (reference to Nazi-era German cinema).
  • Critique of “liberal” media’s complicity; true fascist cinema is often hidden under the guise of harmless entertainment.

Notable Quotes

• “If you own enough IP, it’s in your logical interest to stop new ideas from being made.” – Mia Wong [130:19]
• “Having three movie studios instead of two, you’re already doing pretty bad… Disney has run 40% of the market worldwide.” – Mia Wong [128:38]
• “Fascist filmmaking looks like family adventure fare often. We’ve been so blinded that we expect new fascist movies, not realizing we’ve been living with them.” – Mia Wong [142:20]

5. US Political Updates & Social Flashpoints

[153:36–211:56]
Speakers: Garrison Davis, James Stout, Mia Wong, Robert Evans, Donna Al Kurd

Key Discussion Points

• Executive Disability Order News Briefs

  • Congressional subpoenas over Epstein investigation; Hillary Clinton questioned about Pizzagate and UFOs.
  • Netflix-Paramount bidding war for Warner Bros resolved; FCC's open favoritism for Paramount.

• ICE Raids & Protest

  • ICE detains and then releases Columbia student Elmina Agaheva after mayoral intervention. Confusion about legal status, due process abuses.

• Immigration & State Law

  • Outgoing Homeland Security Secretary; new appointment of Markwayne Mullen (Cherokee Nation); ongoing legal battles over state/federal enforcement boundaries.

• Iran Conflict Updates

  • Confirmation of airstrikes’ scope; severe US/Israeli munitions depletion; impacts of bombing on civil infrastructure and risk of state collapse.
  • Kurdish groups’ positions; warnings about misinformation (“no, Kurdish paramilitaries are not streaming across the border into Iraq”).

• Economic Fallout: Oil and Trade

  • Strait of Hormuz closure threatens a fifth of world’s oil supply; Asian markets crash.
  • US claims to insure tankers, but reality of naval escort is logistically untenable.

• US Domestic Policy & Elections

  • Kansas enacts draconian anti-trans laws; ACLU lawsuit filed.
  • Texas primary: James Talarico (progressive, working-class Christian) wins Democratic Senate primary, advocating economic justice and moderate on immigration; right-wing sweep in Republican ranks (Dan Crenshaw ousted by farther right Steve Toast).
  • North Carolina Democrats who backed anti-trans legislation lose primaries in landslides—“bath party numbers”—indicating a shift in the party base.

Notable Quotes

• “We’ve replaced Hitler with Hitler 2. Great things happening.” – Robert Evans [199:20]
• “The only minority destroying this country is the billionaires.” – James Talarico [205:02]
• “This is a problem that can’t be solved just by tinkering… You have to destroy the conditions that make [monopoly] possible.” – Mia Wong [130:00]
• “The right has pushed the Republican Party further right through primaries; now, for the first time, leftist values are winning Dem primaries—maybe this is the start of a turnaround.” – Robert Evans [209:52]

6. Memorable Moments & Timestamps

• Danielle Kantor’s journey from charitable volunteerism to radical anti-oppression activism [03:05–08:39]
• Reckoning with intra-Israeli denial and the need to “serve as protective presence” in the West Bank [09:18–20:13]
• Detailed first-person reporting from the Albany “Tax the Rich” protests [39:45–59:43]
• Kurdish journalist’s dispatch on the war inside Iran—civilians, army conscripts, misinformation [67:01–98:11]
• Rapid-fire, clear history of film industry monopoly and IP exploitation [109:08–128:11]
• Live news coverage of US actions, Iran war, and economic consequences [153:36–194:14]
• Texas/NC primary results: the left’s resurgence on anti-trans and class issues [197:39–211:00]

Tone & Style

The episode’s overall tone is urgent yet often wry, mixing street-level activism, deep structural critique, and dark humor. The speakers call out both the failures and hypocrisies of government, neoliberal capital, and mainstream media, while giving space for personal vulnerability, movement optimism, and historical context. The language is original, colloquial and unsparing—balancing technical details (especially on military and political systems) with clarity and accessibility.

Useful For:
Listeners seeking a comprehensive, nuanced, and unapologetically left-wing overview of the week’s most urgent struggles—across Israel/Palestine, Iran, New York organizing, media, and US political developments—with firsthand voices and critical context unfiltered by mainstream bias.